The Black Artisans Project

We’re so pleased to share a new site that complements the mission and vision of Roots Cuisine: The Black Artisans Project. Inspired by a short piece written by Roots Cuisine’s founder, Rachel Finn for The Root, the Black Artisans Project (BAP) aims to celebrate the work and handicraft traditions of Black artisans around the world. The new site is in development. If you have information about an artisan you believe should be included please get in touch at
blackartisans [AT] rootscuisine [DOT] org.

In the meantime, read : “Black Artisan Holiday Gift Guide”, the piece that started it all here .

Afro-Foodways Database

The Afro-Foodways database is a comprehensive, multilingual reference tool that allows users to search food and cooking terms related to the foodways and food culture of the global African Diaspora.

The multilingual database will allow users to search for ingredients, food plants, common recipe and dish names, and other information related to African and African Diaspora food culture. The dataset will include botanical information that will allow researchers to identify food items by scientific names where relevant. Additionally, colloquial and vernacular names for foodways, ingredients, food plants, common recipe and dish names, cooking techniques will be available to search.

Diaspora Foodways Database

Search our multilingual database for names ingredients, botanical and geographic information, common and shared food names; medicinal and folk uses of food plants and herbs; and more across the global African Diaspora.

Please explore tour Flickr gallery. We have many unique, high quality photos of food, cultural events, and landscapes, if you're interested in using a photo for something you're writing or for your website, please contact us for our Rights fee schedule and guidelines.

It's simple we're building a library collection and we need your help. From the beginning the Roots Cuisine Mission has been to promote the foodways and related culture of the African Diaspora. We want to be a clearinghouse for information where people can come to learn about these vibrant cuisines and cultures. Help us...

Join the Diaspora Foodways Network

Connect and share what you know about African Diaspora foodways.

Please fill out the form to become part of the library's global diaspora foodways network.